Blair freshened her make up and put on her navy-blue long sleeve t-shirt dress, and ankle-high black booties. Blair took a deep breath and look at the clock on her nightstand, it was a little after one. She headed down the stairs in into the sun room, where her mother had the room cleared for the lunch the family would be having. The purpose of the luncheon was for the families to get to know the mate and family, since the families already knew each other, it was merely a tradition.
Everyone stood when Blair walked in, "Sorry, lost track of time," she apologized and sat between Ben and James. She tried not to look at James, but she could feel his eyes on her, he could feel the change in her mood. "Blair, are you excited to be finished with school?" Duncan asked. "Yes, though I hadn't really planned on finishing early," Blair replied trying to stick it to James. "I didn't tell Blair she was going to testing out, so it's still a sore spot," Kaspar covered. "You don't like surprises?" Maggie asked. "Depends on the surprise I guess," Blair replied sweetly. "Ben, I've heard you found your mate as well," Duncan said as their finger sandwiches were brought out along with the fruit salad. "I did, she's actually Blair's best friend," Ben explained. "Oh, how nice," Maggie added with a smile.
James served a plate to Blair, she took a sandwich, smiling and whispering a thank you. Everyone ate and made small talk, James took Blair's hand and squeezed it. She knew he must've been wondering what changed in her. She wondered if he could see the stress and weight of what she would have to do. Blair laced her fingers in his and stared into his eyes, they shared a moment as if no one else was around. "Blair, I did bring you something," Maggie stated, she reached down to her purse on the floor.
She handed Blair a small calendar book, "All of the ever-green pack traditions and festivals are in there. I would've brought you the book, but there's several. You'll have copies in your house," she explained. "My house," Blair repeated stunned. Everyone looked at her, "Our house," James said. Blair gaped at him; she was never going to be able to live in that house with him. The sadness was overwhelming, tears burned her eyes, "Are you alright, Blair?" Sofie asked concerned. "I think I just need some air," Blair answered, her voice was hoarse. She got up and walked out the side door, the cool air felt good on her skin, she took a few deep breaths closing her eyes. "Blair," a voice called behind her. "I was just getting hot," she told him, without turning around. "I couldn't help but notice it was when my mother mentioned our house," James said. "It's just a lot of change, really fast," she replied, in a near whisper. James touched her back, "I know somethings changed, tell me," he urged. She wanted nothing more than to tell him everything, maybe he could help her figure out what to do. The pressure her dad was placing on her was crushing her, "I'm sorry," she said and stepped out of her shoes and ran off towards the tree line in front of the mountain, shifting as she reached the trees.
James walked back inside his head hanging low, "Is she alright?" Maggie asked. "She won't talk to me," James answered, with hurt in his voice. "It's probably nerves," Sofie offered. "Oh, I remembered how nervous I was leaving Scotland, for a country and a pack I never met," Maggie added. "Me too, the mountains and snow scared the daylights out of me," Sofie giggled in agreement. "You alright son?" Duncan asked. James looked up and nodded. "Ben, please see if you can find your sister," Sofie asked softly. Ben nodded and got up, he walked outside and shifted running into the woods, he caught her scent and followed it to her favorite spot.
She loved the mountains, when he reached her favorite ledge, just above the trees, there she sat crying. Ben shifted back, "Blair," he called walking up next to her. "He just doesn't understand," Blair replied. Ben sat down, "You don't want to tell him about me, do you?" He asked. "I can't, we don't know if it's even going to happen. You've shifted just fine," she pointed out. "So then why are you letting it stop you from living life?" He asked. "I don't let it stop me," he added. "Dad doesn't want me to get too close to him," she cried. "Ya know what I think?" He asked.
She looked up at him, "I think you should do what feels natural," he told her looking out over their territory. "Dad said," she began. "Fuck dad! He didn't even tell us what's really going on. I know mom has no clue," he added angry. "Ben," Blair frowned. "Blair, James wanted to be around just you, since we were ten. Don't you remember when we went to visit their pack and I left because the two of you didn't want to do anything I did. It was always, Blair do you want a cookie? Blair, do you want to go for a walk?" He remembered. She laughed at his mocking voices, "If he wants you have as much as I want Jen, just let it happen. We deserve some happiness," Ben advised. Blair sighed, "And what about them, when this is all done," she asked looking out at the territory. "I don't know," Ben answered. Blair's face fell, "Do you think it's selfish of us?" She asked. Ben paused, "No, we all deserve to be loved and love fiercely. So, that what I'm going to do, until I can't," Ben told her. "When did you become the smart one?" She asked jokingly. "Maybe it's you that has the demon," he joked back. They laughed, "Come on, James is worried about you," Ben said helping Blair up.
They shifted and ran back to their house; it was dusk when they got back. There were clothes sitting in the chair when they reached the patio, they put the clothes on and went into the house, it was quiet. Ben went up to his room, likely to text Jen, Blair tried to sneak up to her room, but her father heard her, "Blair," he called from his office. Blair head lowered and she sulked to his office, where her mom and dad were sitting. "I'll call the Gregor's and apologize," she said shutting the door. "Apologize for what dear?" She heard Maggie's voice. Blair turned Maggie and Duncan were there sitting on the couch. "For ruining the luncheon," Blair answered her hopes a little higher. "Did you expect you and James to have an easy go of it?" Duncan asked, swirling whiskey around in a glass. Blair thought for a moment, "I don't know what I expected," she replied. "You and James met the two times, and he went off for training, you haven't seen each other since you were eleven and fifteen. People change," Maggie added. "We've been writing to each other," Blair defended. "Aye, ya have but writing and having a real conversation and dealing with day-to-day things is different," Duncan sympathized.
Blair's face fell, they had no clue the stress she was under, they only saw her taking it out on James. "I'll let him cool off and call him tomorrow," Blair suggested. "He's cooled off enough, he's been sitting in the driveway in his fancy car," Duncan mocked. Blair looked at him confused, "You don't think he would leave you, do you?" Maggie asked, with a wink. Blair walked back out to the family room, as James walked in. Their pride keeping them from making the first move, they stood in awkward silence. "Blair," James finally spoke first. Blair looked at him, "I know something has changed," he began but stopped. Blair's face fell, "I can't tell you, right now," she stated fighting the urge to hug him. James nodded hurt, "Do you feel this, between us?" he asked. Tears fell from Blair's eyes, "I do, it's just... It's complicated," she answered. James closed the space between them putting his hand on the small of her back, "It's not supposed to be," he whispered breathing her in. "I'll tell you soon, I promise," she whispered. James nodded releasing her, "Good night," she stuttered and went to her room.